The Engleson Files

Oh god, here we go again. Every year at this exact time we (Kristin mostly) must get out and hit the pavement and shop for our family for an entire year’s worth of necessities: spices, socks, clothes for the kids, medicines, Kraft Dinner, onesies and tons and tons of more stuff. Tillicum Mall, Mayfair Mall, Save-On Foods, Canadian Tire, Downtown, Value Village, Sears, The Bay, Skallywag’s, Please Mum…the list simply does not end. My role is to drive, provide emotional support if we fail to find a good deal and be the pack mule from store to store. God, please make it stop!

Well, here in Victoria the family is just having a good time sittin’ around watching the time roll away until the 23rd. I am trying to take a little vacation from the blog just to give myself a little rest - please do not fret, I will be back in action very soon! All in all, the family is doing great and we are now just getting everything ready to go back to China.

Yes ladies and gentlemen, Svea is at the absolute closest moment to crawling on her own. Over the past couple of weeks she has grown much stronger and you can just see it in her eyes that she wants to give it a try!

Well, we are now back in Victoria and officially have 2 more weeks of vacation- time is running out!

Well, it is once again with great sadness that Kristin, Magnus, Svea and I leave the Okanagan, and, Mom and Dad. Every summer since we have left to China, coming back to Penticton has been a real highlight on our calendar. With the weather being as fantastic as it is and all the summertime toys at our disposal, it is no wonder we do not want to go. It was great spending time with Jim, Julie, Saya, Jordy and #3 and we look forward to seeing them all again next year. We had many adventures this time around and I know Magnus had an absolute blast! Thank you Mom and Dad for the great time, we will all miss you dearly and we will see you again soon!

Love,
Craig, Kristin, Magnus and Svea

Well, today as I sit in dreary old Vancouver, I reflect upon our three great weeks in Penticton. The weather was absolutely fantastic and the whole family had a great time - we can’t wait to come back next year!

Magnus has been having an absolute blast here in Penticton and it is because everyday he gets to get outside and play like this.

Here’s a picture of the Engleson gang: (left to right) - Riley, Saya, Magnus, Sara and Jordy. They are all up in the Okanagan right now and are all having a geat time playing with each other on the beach and out in Dad’s boat.

If you are ever in Summerland during the summer months, you must get down to Dino’s for some good old fashioned ice cream; yes, it might be a little difficult to find, but you will not be dissapointed with the extra work in trying. I tell you, this little diamond in the rough should be a Canadan heritage site with its fantastic ice cream. As soon as you walk close to the place you can smell the fresh waffle cones being made and then right after you order your big scoops of ice cream, you can just sit back, relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery. So, drive to Rotary Park in Summerland and then just follow your instincts for the best little ice cream parlour in BC.

The other day the family was out at Sun-Oka beach in Trout Creek (15 minutes outside of Penticton) and there Magnus and I, once again, found (made) some of the greatest historical sandcastles in the valley: the Sun-Oka Sandcasltes. The Sun-Oka civilization is a Okamesonian civilization, noted for the only known fully developed written language of the pre-British Columbian era, as well as its spectacular architecture, and sophisticated mathematical and astronomical systems. Initially established during the pre Ok-un-a-gun period, many of these architecural wonders reached their peak of development during the Classic period (c. 250 to 900), and continued throughout the Postclassic period until the arrival of the Ok-un-a-gun. At its height, it was one of the most densely populated and culturally dynamic societies in the Okanagan valley.

Once the sandcastles were made/discovered, it was off to Dad’s boat for some tubing! With the water as smooth as glass, we hooked up the big yellow machine to the boat and took all the kids (and a few adults) out for a boot. Now, I wasn’t quite sure Magnus was old enough to do this, but he demanded that he go so we put him in my lap and let ‘er fly - needless to say he loved it dearly. Sorry, but the video below is not zoomed in enough, but this is Magnus’s first-ever tube ride (Magnus is in the middle with Dad).

Wow! I just finished Harry Potter last night and, to say the least, I enjoyed it very much. I think the entire series of books have been nothing short of fantastic and I am deeply sorry they are all done; I think JK Rowling is a brilliant writer who created an absolutely amazing world. The Deathly Hallows was a barn-burner of a finish with many complexities (especially at the end) to keep the drama at it’s peak, and eventual zenith. It has been a great ride, I am very sad it is over - long live Harry Potter!!

Skimming the depths of Lake Okanagan, the young Magnus Cousteau has embarked on a rare journey into the unknown to try and find the elusive Ogopogo.